Reuters Odd News Summary

Reuters Odd News Summary

GAMMESFELD, Germany (Reuters) - Peter Breiter, 41, is an unusual banker. Not for him the big bonuses, complicated financial instruments and multi-million deals. He is happy instead writing transaction slips out by hand for the 500 inhabitants of the tiny southern German village of Gammesfeld.

Captain Cook's pistol fetches $227,000 at auction

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A pistol owned by British explorer Captain James Cook, who first claimed Australia for Britain nearly two and half centuries ago, sold on Thursday for A$219,600 ($227,100), above the top estimate set by auctioneers. The brass pistol, an early 18th century Continental Flintlock holster pistol with a 13-bore barrel made by Dutch gunmaker Godefroi Corbau Le Jeune, had a pre-sale estimate of A$100,000 to A$200,000.

Emu heist baffles Australian wildlife park

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The theft of a fully-grown emu from an Australian wildlife park this week has left only a pile of feathers at the scene of the crime, and questions about the motive for snatching an ungainly bird with practically no cash value. Operating under cover of darkness, robbers are believed to have lifted the flightless bird - second only to the ostrich in size and known for its speed, powerful legs and clawed feet - over electrified barbed wire atop a two-meter fence, eluding a guard and a security camera.

Don't say nay to horsemeat: French eaters

PARIS (Reuters) - In a dingy Parisian back street, diners at a one-of-a-kind bistro tuck lustily into breaded horse brain, pan fried heart of horse and broiled cheek, along with prime rump steaks the chef cuts from the bone himself. Seasoned aficionados queuing at one of the few horse butchers left in Paris say they prefer theirs raw as minced "tartare", pepped up with olive oil, lemon juice and pepper.